The Honda Brio is finally facelifted, but it doesn’t just bring a bunch of new trims and accessories to the table but also a bunch of new features. Honda made a big splash when it first launched the Brio in 2019, but it only took a few years for car buyers to want more.
We’re quite happy with the Brio now because Honda has delivered, and the lovable and cool hatchback has become even more lovable and even cooler than before. Of all the updates, here are five of our favorites that you might also appreciate.
A new design
We thought that the old Brio was good-looking enough, to the point where we thought that it would still hold up as a 2019 model. However, Honda does like its facelifts, and this rendition of the small hatchback is a very enticing entry in the segment, and it looks so good in bright colors, especially in the new Electric Lime Metallic paint. While not revolutionary, the Brio is indeed a better-looking car in its 2024 model year. The added aggression, the revised RS grille, the front bumper, and the revised rear diffuser, all add up to a handsome package that gives it an edge in its segment.
Not to be left out of the party, but the V and the S trims are also good-looking. Not as sporty as the RS, but still plenty enticing, if you’re not a fan of the grille, the skirts, or the spoiler, then perhaps the lower trims are for you. More affordable, and frankly a blank canvas for any would-be customizers, we reckon that the Brio will be an excellent platform for many to express themselves—RS or otherwise.
LED lights (RS only)
In the small hatchback segment, headlights are usually halogen, and foglamps are usually an added luxury. Honda’ Philippines is changing that standard with the 2024 Brio. At least for the RS trim, the Brio will get powerful LED headlamps, LED DRLs, and LED fog lamps. Honda has a knack for decking out its top-spec trims with the best lights in its arsenal, and the Brio is no exception. The design of the lights helps the model stand out even more from its competitors, and in practice, it’s a great value add especially if you find yourself driving at night.
Once upon a time, you had to go to the City to get lights like these, but now they’re in a stylish little hatchback, and it’s all the better for it.
Updated interior trim
Frankly, the orange trim in the 2019 RS variant was either a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing. Yes, if you got the orange color, it would match, but anything else it’s either an accent or a clash, especially in the case of the Carnival Yellow RS variants. Now, however, it’s a more “standard” accent color. At this point in time, we’re just about used to seeing red accents in cars that are or trying to be sporty, and the 2024 version of the Brio RS has accents but is just enough and not overdone.
Meanwhile, the lower trims still get the same old gray accents which are totally fine, easy to pair with any color, and just more low-key. Still, we get the same dashboard design that we’ve come to appreciate in this small hatchback, but nothing much has changed in the way of premium materials which is good from a durability standpoint.
Rear parking sensors
If a reverse camera was in the Brio, we’d definitely put it on this list, but at least we get parking sensors. One of the missing features in the small hatchback, when it was first introduced, was the lack of any reversing amenities, but now all of that has changed because any variant of the Brio will get reverse parking sensors. A little late to the party, we think that it's enough because the car is so small and compact.
Really, we would have preferred a backup camera, but given the size of the car, and given how the sensors are competent at their job, we feel it’s enough.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Finally, one of our most requested features in the Honda Brio is the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We’re thrilled to see that Honda has gone out of their way to secure a head unit from Kenwood to keep the Brio consistent with the rest of the segment in terms of features. On top of that, we feel that the Brio has one of the best sound systems in the segment at the time of writing. With the RS, you get six speakers, and lower trims will still enjoy up to four speakers. Coupled with the head unit’s EQ tuning, and the “better” audio fidelity coming from the infotainment system compared to the pre-facelift, it’s a remarkable upgrade for anyone who is looking at a car with a complete set of infotainment features and then some.
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